Note 7 at 1 Cor. 15:25: At first, this verse seems contrary to other scriptures. For instance, Ephesians 1:20-21 states that when Jesus was resurrected from the dead, He was seated "far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come." Jesus said Himself, after His resurrection, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Mt. 28:18). So what is left to be done? Isn't all power subject to Christ now?

The answer to this is no. All power has been put under Christ, but Christ's authority and power have not been executed in a manner that has subdued all opposition. "Subdued" is the key word used in verse 28. The word "subdue" means (1) to conquer and subjugate; vanquish; (2) to bring under control. Satan and all his forces have been conquered but not subjugated.

The Lord has not totally enforced His victory over Satan through His second coming and the establishment of His physical kingdom on earth because He is patiently waiting for others to receive His salvation (2 Pet. 3:9). However, it is His will and His command for His followers to exercise their authority over Satan. Sad to say, few Christians do this. As a result, a conquered enemy is causing much misery because God's people do not subdue Him.

Someone might say, "but we can't stop the devil." That's not true. Jesus gave us His authority and power (Mt. 28:18-20) and He now lives through us (Gal. 2:20). If we would believe, we could see the same things happen through us that Jesus saw in His physical ministry (Jn. 14:12).

This verse says that Jesus must reign until He puts all enemies under His feet. This is not talking of the physical feet of the resurrected Jesus but this is speaking of subduing His enemies under His body, the church (see note 14 at 1 Cor. 12:27, p. 934). This is exactly the terminology used in Ephesians 1 right after the scripture spoke of Jesus' resurrected authority. Verses 22-23 says, "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all."

We, as the body of Christ, are the ones responsible for enforcing His victory over the devil until Christ returns and completes the job perfectly. Therefore, we are the ones who are guilty of allowing Satan, a conquered foe, to run free.

Jesus has already fought the devil and defeated him totally. There is no contest directly between God and the devil. Satan can only function because people give him the authority in their lives. It's understandable why unbelievers do this, but there is no excuse for Christians allowing Satan to destroy their lives. We have authority over all the power of the enemy (Lk. 10:19).

Jesus must reign until all enemies, including death, are put under His feet (this verse). All enemies are already under His feet (v. 27), but they are not yet subdued unto Him (v. 28). This means that the authority has been given to every member of His body, but as a whole, His body has not used that authority and Satan goes unsubdued.